13 December 2013
Travelling to Mthatha from Kokstad/Durban:
13 December 2013
Government is grateful to all the people of South Africa who have come out in their numbers, some travelling from other provinces, to bid farewell to President Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings.
The response has been overwhelming and heartwarming with 12000-14000 paying homage to Tata Madiba on day one with two people passing every three seconds on day two.
As at 07h30 this morning Friday 13 December, there were thousands of people at the various park and ride facilities:
13 December 2013
Media are invited to a technical media briefing hosted by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on media arrangements of the state funeral of former President Mandela.
The details are as follows:
Date: Friday, 13 December 2013
Time: 11h00
Venue: Nelson Mandela Museum, Qunu
Government has also created a dedicated website where all announcements and media related information is uploaded daily: www.mandela.gov.za.
12 December 2013
The Department of State Security has confirmed that the photograph of President Mandela, purported to be of him lying in his casket at the Union Buildings, is a fake.
Government finds it extremely distasteful that a member of the public would engage is such behaviour and manipulate a photograph of President Mandela at this time.
We thank all members of the public who have acted respectfully as they bid farewell to Tata Madiba as he lies in state at the Union Buildings for playing their part.
12 December 2013
Park and ride centres for public viewing of President Mandela’s body have been closed for the day – Thursday 12 December 2013 - after reaching their full capacity. Yesterday, December 11, between 12 000 and 14 000 people were able to pay their final respects. Today’s numbers are still being determined.
People in the queues at the park and ride facilities will be transported to the Union Buildings until 17h00 today, following which the remains of President Mandela will return to 1 Military Hospital, Thaba Tshwane.
12 December 2013
Government and the Mandela family have no plans to release so-called official photographs of President Mandela lying in state.
Government is respecting the family’s wish that no photographs of President Mandela’s body be released.
With regard to mourners filing past the casket, government repeats the caution that no photography is allowed, as this would violate the military protocol governing proceedings at the Union Buildings.
12 December 2013
12 December 2013
The public is urged to use the park-and-ride facilities at the Tshwane Events Centre (Pretoria Show Grounds), LC De Villiers Sports Facility (SOUTH STREET ENTRANCE) in Hatfield and Fountains Valley Park to the Union Buildings to pay their last respects to former President Nelson Mandela.
No walk-ins will be permitted to enter the Union Buildings. To assist in the continuous smooth running of the lying-in-state, the public is urged to cooperate with systems that are in place.
Government also calls on media in the area to cooperate with the organising authorities, and asks that the broader public comply with requests or instructions by authorities.
